Port Houston Container Volumes Climb 11% in September on Strong Imports

Port Houston posted an 11% year-over-year increase in container volume at its public terminals in September 2026, reaching 376,419 TEUs compared to 337,659 TEUs in the same month of 2025. Growth was mainly driven by loaded imports, which rose 16% to 174,189 TEUs, while loaded exports increased 2% to 132,009 TEUs.

In the first nine months of 2026, Port Houston handled 3.35 million TEUs, 2% more than the 3.27 million recorded in the same period of 2025. Year-to-date loaded imports grew 6% year-over-year, to 1.56 million TEUs. Vessel traffic also increased: vessel calls at the public terminals rose 10% in September, to 750, while total deep-draft vessel transits across the entire Houston Ship Channel grew 9%, according to data from the Marine Exchange of Texas. Barge calls at the public terminals increased 23% for the month, and total barge transits on the channel rose 11%.

In addition to containers, the port reported a 181% jump in steel imports, which totaled 539,993 tons compared to 192,351 tons in September 2025. Combining imports and exports, steel volumes handled reached 581,035 tons, 157% more than a year earlier and the best monthly performance for this cargo category since May 2022. The port also noted that this marks the first consecutive months above 500,000 tons of steel in more than a decade.

Port Houston CEO Charlie Jenkins told the Port Commission that September's performance represented a significant improvement following a difficult start to the year. Chief Operating Officer Ryan Mariacher explained that growth at Bayport and Barbours Cut was mainly driven by imports, while exports began to pick up pace toward the end of September. Chief Commercial Officer John Mosley noted that import demand remained unusually strong throughout the third quarter, with Port Houston outperforming the rest of the country according to data from the National Retail Federation Port Tracker. Director of Operations Eric Casey added that a new container and reefer cargo service launched in September, and additional services are currently under negotiation.

On a regional level, the Houston Ship Channel handled 22.3 million tons of foreign cargo in August, up 18% year-over-year, with foreign exports growing 24% that month. Among the fastest-growing containerized imports through August were apparel and accessories, up 27%, resins and plastics, up 11%, and machinery, appliances, and electronics, up 9%.